Highways Policies, Strategies and Plans
We recognise how important the local highway network is. We are committed to ensuring that we have the best highway possible.
You can read an overview of what we plan to achieve and how we hope to achieve it through our third Local Transport Plan.
Highway Policies
Many of the tasks carried out by East Sussex Highways are statutory duties or powers defined by national legislation. The highway policies set out our position where local discretion can be used, or in areas for which there is no legislation.
The policies also support and enable the delivery of the East Sussex Council Plan and Priorities, and the Local Transport Plan.
Review cycle
The policies are reviewed regularly to ensure they are accurate and consider continuing feedback and changes in working practices.
We welcome any feedback you may have.
If you have any questions or comments about our policies or would like to request a printed copy, please contact the service.
To help shape the highway services we deliver, we will:
- keep our customers informed of activities on the highway
- manage expectations about the services we can deliver
- provide clear, accurate and reliable information in a timely way
- develop positive relationships with stakeholders at all levels
Find out more
Customer Care standards and how to contact us
Giving feedback and our complaints procedure
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you are having difficulty using any part of our website or think we are not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations please contact us.
We apply an asset management approach to our roads, footways and street lights.
We arrange routine inspection and maintenance schedules using a risk based assessment. This maximises value for money.
We have a regular programme of maintenance activities. These relate to:
- Gulley emptying
- Ditching
- Siding
- Weed control
- Grass cutting
- Cleansing
Policies
Contact us to request a printed copy of these policies.
Highway Asset Management Policy [116.3 KB] [pdf]
Highway Asset Management Strategy [180.1 KB] [pdf]
Highway Network Resilience Plan [572.6 KB] [pdf]
Highway Drainage Policy [71.6 KB] [pdf]
Highway Verges and Vegetation Policy [142.4 KB] [pdf]
Maintenance of Footways – materials [9.7 KB] [pdf]
Street lighting Policy [170.0 KB] [pdf]
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you are having difficulty using any part of our website or think we are not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations please contact us.
We follow a risk-based regime of inspection, surveying and recording that allows us to assess the condition of the highway and proactively deliver repairs to the network within appropriate timescales.
Policies
Contact us to request a printed copy of these policies.
Highways Inspection Manual [487.0 KB] [pdf]
Highways Inspection Investigatory Matrix [2.4 MB] [pdf]
Highway Skid Resistance [155.4 KB] [pdf]
Highway Claims [95.7 KB] [pdf]
Technical Approval of Highway Structures [88.8 KB] [pdf]
Noise Regulations 1975- Discretionary Aspects [103.9 KB] [pdf]
Passively Safe Sign Posts [198.1 KB] [pdf]
Find out more about other Road Safety measures such as traffic calming and cycle training
Report a problem
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you are having difficulty using any part of our website or think we are not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations please contact us.
We consider our Highway Network as an integrated set of assets when managing the network and developing highway maintenance policies and plans.
The needs of all road users, particularly vulnerable users, will be a key consideration in managing and planning for highway maintenance, along with the potential to add value to other elements of local transport policy and strategy wherever possible.
Policies
Contact us to request a printed copy of these policies.
The Network of Roads [16.3 KB] [pdf]
Development and delivery of the capital programme of local transport improvements [159.3 KB] [pdf]
Provision of Passing Places [88.7 KB] [pdf]
Provision of Lay-Bys [89.0 KB] [pdf]
Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders for Bodies other than the Highway Authority [91.9 KB] [pdf]
Control of Heavy Goods Vehicles [151.9 KB] [pdf]
For policies on adoptions, design guidance and construction specifications for developers, see our Transport Development Control pages.
More on network management and improvement
Find out more about the highway network including boundaries and which roads we are responsible for maintaining.
Find out more about how we prioritise and fund transport infrastructure and initiatives
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you are having difficulty using any part of our website or think we are not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations please contact us.
We have a duty to control the obstruction of the highway. This is to reduce inconvenience and danger to the public.
This includes removing unlicensed obstructions on our roads or pavements. For information about licences East Sussex Highways can issue, visit their website.
Policies
Contact us to request a printed copy of these policies.
South East Permit Scheme for Roadworks and Streetworks [716.7 KB] [pdf]
Temporary Event Signing [96.2 KB] [pdf]
Banners across the highway [96.1 KB] [pdf]
Obstructions on the highway [93.5 KB] [pdf]
Permission to trade on the highway [90.2 KB] [pdf]
Posts on highway verges [89.7 KB] [pdf]
Roadside sponsorship [20.3 KB] [pdf]
Roadside memorials and tributes [92.3 KB] [pdf]
Find out more about licences and enforcement
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you are having difficulty using any part of our website or think we are not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations please contact us.
Extreme weather can have an impact on the highway. It can also affect economic growth within East Sussex.
Our Winter Service Plan details our approach to maintaining the network in winter.
Find out more
- Winter Service including advice, weather warnings and gritting information.
- How the County Council prepares for emergencies
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you are having difficulty using any part of our website or think we are not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations please contact us.
Statutory duties or powers defined by national legislation cover most of what we do. Our policies set out our position where we may use local discretion. They also cover areas for which there is no legislation.
Our policies support and help us to deliver our priorities. For more information please view the links below.
East Sussex Council Plan and Priorities
Policies
Provision of School Crossing Patrols [83.8 KB] [pdf]
Local speed limits and 20 zones [855.6 KB] [pdf]
Road safety audit [269.3 KB] [pdf]
Investigation of fatalities [248.6 KB] [pdf]
Limitations on the introduction of no cycling orders [246.0 KB] [pdf]
General provision of traffic signs and road markings [196.6 KB] [pdf]
Provision of traffic signs – traffic mirrors [197.9 KB] [pdf]
Provision of traffic signs – (brown) tourist and amenity signs [196.7 KB] [pdf]
Provision of access protection markings [248.5 KB] [pdf](white road markings typically at driveways or accesses)
Provision of vehicle activated signs [239.7 KB] [pdf] (signs that light up when triggered by vehicles approaching at a pre-defined speed)
Provision of special on-street parking bays for blue badge holders [247.8 KB] [pdf]
East Sussex Highways Policies
East Sussex Highways manage several policies that impact our service areas. This is because they maintain the highway on behalf of East Sussex County Council. Some policies apply to new works that we do and maintenance works. You can view these policies via the links below.
PS 4/37 Passively Safe Sign Posts [198.1 KB] [pdf]
PS 4/5 Control of Heavy Goods Vehicles [151.8 KB] [pdf]
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you are having difficulty using any part of our website or think we are not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations please contact us.